September
AugustGolden opportunity
Is there a more destructively programmed race than the Golden Eagle on the Australian calendar?
We now face the ludicrous situation where the spring program of one of our most exciting horses is likely to read 1400m, 1600m, 2000m, 1500m.
No one could begrudge the stable for targeting the Golden Eagle with Sheza Alibi. As Peter Moody has stated, it’s a matter of simple economics.
Not only is the Golden Eagle’s first prize $1.65 million greater than that for the Cox Plate, it’s a restricted race.
There’ll be no Sir Delius and co to worry about.
So they’d be mad not to go for it, but it’s ruining our best race.
It would be like Gout Gout skipping the Olympics because he could make more money winning the under-18 worlds.
Who knows if Sheza Alibi and the other top-class four-year-olds will still be in training in 12 months’ time?
As for the prospect of any horse matching Winx’s four-timer, forget it.
This state of affairs is exhibit 164 in the case for a national racing body with control of the calendar.
The Golden Eagle is a great race. It just needs to be run on Golden Rose day.
Richmond (Vic)